Program - Joyce Wade on Goodwill Industries

Jim introduced Joyce Wade who talked about Goodwill Industries, and how they help people with learning disabilities transition into the local workforce.

Program - Packing Friendship

Carol introduced Gerry Jessup, retired fruit marketing manager, who told us about "Packing Friendship", a program where local churches provide weekend food to low income students.  Church groups buy, store, pack, and deliver the food to schools, which then distribute the bags to the students.  There are currently 19 churches that serve 22 schools and 340 kids in the valley.  The group has also started a summer program at Lewis & Clark Elementary.  The cost is $4 per bag, with last year's total coming to $44,000.  Money comes from donations, fundraisers, and grants.  Our club donated $450 last week to the program.

Visit from Brazil

Tom Utigard brought one of our former youth exchange students from Brazil this morning.  Paula Mota was hosted by our club 14 years ago.  Her year here was cut short when the attacks of 9-11 caused her and many other YE students to return home early.  Paula is here for several days on vacation and will travel to Cabo with the Utigard's this month.

Program - GWATA

GWATA?  What's' that all about?  Jim Huffman introduced Jenny Rickel, President of GWATA (Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance).  Jenny has a career in telecommunications, and is a partner in her company, which sells infrastructure to cell companies. GWATA has over 100 members.  The group supports local businesses and entrepreneurs, and is a catalyst for bringing people together for technology related issues.  They have started a new social media club that meets every third Thursday of the month at Pybus.  They have organized several technology conferences and collaborations on town.
Their annual Innovator Awards Luncheon, which will be March 24, recognizes people that are doing innovative things with technology in our communities.

New Member

We are glad to welcome Jim Richardson as the newest member of our club.  Jim is the President of Wenatchee Valley College.  He is transferring from the Wenatchee Club due to schedule conflicts. Jim has been in our community for 10 years, and a member of Rotary for over 18 years.

Program - Joan Wright

Member Joan Wright gave her classification talk, outlining her past personal and professional history in words and pictures.  Joan grew up in Ellensburg and Quincy.  She participated in cheer leading in high school, and gymnastics at CWU.  Joan has taught swimming, and coached coed soccer and basketball.  She taught school at Richland, and then came to Wenatchee as a high school administrator, and then asst. superintendent for the district.  During that time she earned her Doctorate degree.  Joan now works for WSU as a teaching consultant.

Joan and her husband Tom have two sons, a granddaughter, and a dog.  She enjoys traveling the world, having adventures in many countries
.  She has served as president of our club, and is the long-time chair of the challenge scholarship committee.

State of the Club Report

Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary 2^nd quarter accomplishments:

• Highway clean-up on Make-a-Difference Day.
• Celebrated Polio Awareness Day at the museum with area Clubs
• Raised extra money for Polio Eradication $1500.  This means we were able to immunize 250 children.
• Applied for the “Be the Change” Grant and got it.  Able to fund another challenge scholar next year and expand on our mentoring program.
• Great social at Berthas’
• Participated in a small fundraiser –Chuck A Puck-
• Kick off for Salisbury Fund $50,000 match.
• Started a new international project by learning about and contributing to the Stove Team Nicaragua Project.
• Had a salute to the VETS ad in the Wenatchee World.
• Helped the Wellness Place move to a new location.
• Bike Ride committee is up and going strong with a new Facebook Page for Bike Ride in June.
• Contributed to an Eagle Scout’s Community Project.
• Had annual Christmas Party at the Country Club.
• Held a kids Christmas Party.
• Elected new officers for 2015-16 year.  Erin McCool V.P., Lisa Tidd, Treasure, Joanne Rosenthal, Secretary.   Board Members – Taro Masuda, Ted Fukuzawa, and Maggie Nelson
• Brought in 3 wonderful new members, Stacey Speers, Kathleen McNalty, and Diana Oltman, bringing the grand total this first 6 months to 8 fantastic new individuals to our club. 

Rotarian of the Month

Carol gave the "Rotarian of the Month" for December to Jim Adamson.  Jim has been in Rotary for 27 years, and has served as club president, district trainer, district governor, GSE team leader to England, PETS committee, hosted exchanges students, writes the blog, and is a mentor for a challenge scholar.  Carol said he has helper her throughout he first 6 months of her term.

Rotary Awareness Month

So, January is designated as Rotary Awareness Month.  Let's see what we can do to increase our basic knowledge of Rotary.  For those newer to Rotary, there are some great training material on the RI web site (www.rotary.org).  Click on "My Rotary", then log on (or register if you haven't already).
Now click the "Learning and Reference" at the top to display a variety of topics.

Another way is to sign up for the Rotary Leadership Institute training, which is done over three Saturdays in Wenatchee (Jan. 17, 31, and Feb. 14).  Register on the district web site (www.rotary5060.org).